Tonight, OGC Nice was playing for high stakes at home against Toulon. With three rounds left in the Ligue Butagaz Energie, a victory was imperative…
This time, OGC Nice handball probably said goodbye to its chances of qualifying for the European cup next season. Up against the last-place team in the Ligue Butagaz Energie, the Niçoises were defeated at home (30-33). A defeat with heavy consequences as the Maralpines find themselves three points behind Dijon (4th), who have a game in hand. It will be difficult to make up this deficit in only three rounds of the championship.
Already beaten in Dijon last week, the Aiglonnes needed to react to get back in the top four. And this Mediterranean derby against Toulon was supposed to be the perfect opportunity to bounce back. Except nothing went as planned. The Niçoises were trailing for most of the game. Not surprising when considering the recent results of the Toulon team, victorious at Stella St Maur and against Besançon (6th). A positive momentum that was reflected in the nature of this match.
Symbolic of this crossed energy between the two teams, Enola Grollier had a perfect start in contrast to Marie-Hélène Sajka. The club’s top scorer missed her early opportunities and remained silent throughout the match. An unfortunate first… Entrusted with a mission, the captain Marine Dupuis managed to rally with 11 goals, but that wasn’t enough. And despite eight goals from Adriana Holejova, the Niçoises couldn’t catch up in the first half (15-17). The Slovak back, although decisive, delivered a match similar to her teammates, marked by many mistakes.
With only 61% shooting success, the Niçoises missed too many opportunities along the way. Although the score differences remained tight throughout the match, it never significantly swung in favor of OGC Nice handball.
Yet, all hopes were allowed when Marie Fall enabled her teammates to take the lead for the first time in the (47th minute). But the numerous missed chances in front of Toulon’s goal were the downfall of the Niçoises. Nice will have to be flawless in these last three matches to hope to return to the Top 4. This means securing a victory on Sunday at Sambre, then against Paris 92, before visiting the invincible Messines as a conclusion to this Ligue Butagaz Energie.
